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I. THE SIN OF REJECTING CHRIST IS VERY AGGRAVATED, SEEING IT IS AN OFFENCE AGAINST GOD. "He that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son." The language is fearfully strong. "He hath made Him a liar." Strong, however, as it is, it is only calling the sin by its right name. God has borne witness to His Son in every way that ought to satisfy the most scrupulous mind. It is the testimony of God Himself which they withstand. Therefore are they charged with virtually pronouncing His testimony false. Our Lord presents the subject in the very same light, denouncing the sin of unbelief with equal severity, and exposing its enormity by tracing it up to the deep seated love of sin in the heart (John 3:18, 19). "Because their deeds are evil." There lies the secret of opposition to Christ and His gospel. It is the love of sin. "Everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."

II. SUCH CONDUCT IS DISTINGUISHED AS MUCH BY FOLLY AS BY SIN, considering the nature and value of that which is rejected. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."

1. Eternal life. How are we to describe it? It comprehends all the blessedness which man is capable of enjoying in this life, and in that which is to come. The lowest idea we can attach to it is the remission of all our sins. The sentence of death which on their account has been passed upon us is removed. What an unspeakable blessing! Great, however, as such a blessing is, it is accompanied by another, greater and better. This is "acceptance in the beloved." Not merely is there deliverance from condemnation, but admission to favour. The two blessings arise out of the same source, and that is union with Christ. On the ground of His atonement we are at once freed from death and crowned with life. Nor is this all. The same prolific source yields another blessing, which is never separated from pardon and acceptance. The dead soul is at the same time quickened and made alive unto God. The eyes are opened to see the vileness of sin and the beauty of holiness. The ears are unstopped to hear the voice of God in His Word and works. The tongue is unloosed to speak with Him in prayer, and for Him to man. The hands are emancipated to engage in His service. And the feet are turned into His ways, and run in the paths of His commandments. The blessings of life are now enjoyed. There is activity with all its healthful exercises. There is purity, with all its peace and prosperity. There is enjoyment, with all its precious treasures. In the measure in which spiritual life is restored, we are made like unto God. To consummate this blessedness, the stamp of eternity is put upon it.

2. The source from which this blessing is represented to proceed is calculated greatly to enhance and recommend it. It is the gift of God.

3. Farther, not only has the apostle described the blessedness, and the source from which it comes, but the very channel through which it is conveyed to us. "This life is in His Son." The design of this announcement is at once to instruct and encourage us. It seems to contemplate the mind awakened by such a blessedness as was proposed to it, and inquiring where shall I find it? To such a one it is said, go unto Jesus.

III. IT IS INEXCUSABLE, SEEING IT MAY BE SO SIMPLY AND EFFECTUALLY SECURED. "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." To "have the Son" is identified, in the text itself, with believing on Him. We may have Christ and eternal life in Him simply by believing. This is the constant testimony of the Divine Word. "He that hath the Son hath life." So soon as we are united to Christ by faith, we are put in possession of life. This is true of all the blessings contained in it. But how solemn is the alternative! "He that hath not the Son of God hath not life." He cannot have pardon, for "without the shedding of blood is no remission." He cannot have favour, for, "if a man shall keep the whole law, and offend in one point, he is guilty of all." He cannot have holiness, for, "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." And he cannot be an heir of glory, for Jesus hath said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."

(J. Morgan, D. D.)

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KJV: If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

WEB: If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God's testimony which he has testified concerning his Son.